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Chicopee Council on Aging announces new van, Veterans Wall ribbon cutting and summer events
Summary
Council on Aging staff reported a new van in service in memory of a former transportation manager, an upcoming Veterans Wall ribbon cutting on May 23, staffing changes, expanded programming plans and several Friends of RiverMills fundraisers and volunteer activities.
Council on Aging staff outlined program and operational updates at the May 13 meeting, including a new transportation van, a memorial ribbon cutting, staff retirements and a slate of summer events.
Sherry Manyak, center staff, reported the center's new van is now in service and has been wrapped with RiverMills branding in memory of Bob, the former transportation manager. She also noted the retirement of the center nurse, Helen Biglin, and the receptionist, Sharon Brissette, and said the nurse position will be converted to full time and a receptionist replacement will be sought.
Manyak told the board the center is applying for 2026 grants from the Massachusetts Council on Aging (MCOA) and is seeking input from staff on expanding memory support groups and the gardening club; the garden will continue to supply the kitchen. The minutes record an Aging conference planned for May 16 with a catered lunch supported by Blue Cross.
The board was informed of a planned eight-story apartment building next door primarily for low- and mid-income families; staff discovered a fence sits on the neighboring property and the center's shed must be moved about 3 feet because it would be too close to the property line. Manyak said she will meet with the property owner and the construction crew, which previously built RiverMills Assisted Living.
The Veterans Memorial ribbon cutting is scheduled for May 23 at 2:30 p.m., and the minutes invite the public to attend. The Friends of RiverMills reported a spaghetti dinner with about 146 attendees and roughly $1,600 profit; membership has grown to over 200. Upcoming Friends activities include a car wash on June 14 with the Chicopee High Honor Society (supplies donated by BJ's) and a BINGO event at Raymour and Flanigan Outlet in September. The volunteer appreciation dinner (theme: Paris) was described as a success.
The board will continue to oversee operations and programming, and staff will report back on hiring and grant outcomes at future meetings.
